Time For A Change

For 20 years the missionary couples have played a major leadership role the North Jordan Branch.  It's been great for the members--if they don't feel like doing their calling they know the missionaries will cover for them.  If they want anything they know the missionaries will get it for them.   Missions have been entirely paid for, groceries provided, rent, medicine, education, transportation all paid when they ask.  The kind-hearted missionaries have been like the mother and father who do too much and they create spoiled, dependent children.

Things are changing now.  We have spent most of our mission teaching self-reliance and personal conversion.  A lot of payments have stopped and people are learning that the church isn't the Bank of Jesus Christ.  We offer salvation--not cash payments.  It's the right thing, and we know it's painful but we also know that one person that is truly converted is better than a hundred who hang around with their hands out.

Lynn has spent a lot of time teaching and counseling with President Amer.  One of Lynn's "gifts" (talents) is the gift of administration.  He truly understands how the Lord's church works.  It's very satisfying to watch him teach Amer and for Amer to learn and understand.  Amer's a great man.  This past week we all got the impression that it is time for the missionaries to back out of leadership roles, and for the members to step up.  We will both be released soon and the Relief Society and branch presidency will all be made up of local members.  They will be under the direction of and trained by the district leaders in Amman--not us.  We know it won't be easy, but it's the right thing--and the will of our Heavenly Father.  He is in charge and now is the time.

Heck, we're not even real missionaries--we're "humanitarian volunteers"!  Heaven help us if the government thought we were missionaries.  We'd be on the next plane home.

Best buddies

Lynn and President Amer